Lamar Giles is the first-time author of Fake ID (HarperCollins, 2014). From the promotional copy:
Nick Pearson is hiding in plain sight. In fact, his name isn’t really Nick Pearson. He shouldn’t tell you his real name, his real hometown, or why his family just moved to Stepton,
By April Henry
When Cynthia invited me to write a guest post for her blog about some aspect of writing mysteries, I knew immediately what I wanted to write about. Tension.
The trick to writing a good mystery or thriller is to have plenty of tension. Heck, that’s the trick to writing any good book,
Compiled by Cynthia Leitich Smith
My weekend highlight was author-illustrator Jeff Crosby‘s launch of Rockabilly Goats Gruff (Holiday House, 2014) at the Writing Barn in Austin.
For the celebration, the Barn was converted to the “Shimmy Shack.” Jeff hosted a 1950’s rockabilly costume contest (with art as the prize),
Continue Reading Event Report: Jeff Crosby’s Launch for Rockabilly Goats Gruff »
Compiled by Cynthia Leitich Smith
Cover Reveal: Tut: The Story of My Immortal Life by P.J. Hoover (Starscape/Macmillan) from Roots in Myth.
How I Got Into Publishing by Simon & Schuster Editor Zareen Jaffery from CBC Diversity. Peek: “What people don’t tell you about publishing is that more than half your job requires being social—this is an industry based on relationships.
Check out the book trailer for Saving Baby Doe by Danette Vigilante (Putnam, 2014). From the promotional copy:
Lionel and Anisa are the best of friends and have seen each other through some pretty tough times–Anisa’s dad died and Lionel’s dad left, which is like a death for Lionel.
Continue Reading Book Trailer: Saving Baby Doe by Danette Vigilante »
Sara B. Larson is the first-time author of Defy (Scholastic, 2014). From the promotional copy:
A lush and gorgeously written debut, packed with action, intrigue, and heart-racing romance.
Alexa Hollen is a fighter.
Courtesy of Kristy Dempsey
In 2008, several children’s writers joined together for a retreat in Boyds Mills, Pennsylvania, the home of Highlights Magazine and the wonderful Highlights Foundation.
We were all working on different stories in different genres, and so we planned a working retreat, not one where we would meet often to learn from a speaker,
Continue Reading Highlights Writing Retreat Scholarship Opportunity »
Compiled by Alison Ashley Formento
Middle grade author Cynthia Chapman Willis left this world on March 3.
According to her family, she didn’t want anyone to be sad at her passing. That embodies the kind of woman and giving author friend Cindy was to so many, and those that knew her could not help but be dazzled by her lovely smile and giving nature.
Compiled by Cynthia Leitich Smith
On Neutral Characters and Relating to the Specific by Shannon Hale from squeetus blog. Peek: “Why can’t someone like Maisie be worthy of a story too? I’ve encountered similar opinions over the years and began to come to an uncomfortable understanding, one that others before me have also discovered.”
Check out this fantastic author video by Kwame Alexander, promoting The Crossover (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt).
Why is it so great?
Kwame’s irresistible combination of humor and charm, along with a call to action and a preview of the book to come.
Continue Reading Video: Kwame Alexander Riffs on Librarians & The Crossover »
